Health effects of passive smoking

Many smokers will argue that smoking is their right and they can do whatever the please with their bodies. They do not realize that smoking affects even those around them. Research has indicated that passive smoking, or secondhand smoking, can also have serious effects on an individual's health. The health effects of passive smoking are as serious and debilitating as smoking itself.

What is passive smoking?

Passive smoking, second hand smoking or environmental tobacco smoking are terms that are used to describe the smoke that is exhaled by smokers or that burns from the end of a cigarette, pipe or cigar. Passive smoke is then involuntarily inhaled by non smokers. Passive smoke stays in the air for several hours after the smoker stops smoking.

What are some common place where passive smoking can occur?

Passive smoking is most common in public venues, but may also occur in private residences. One of the most common place a non smoker will experience passive smoking is in bars and restaurants. Many people associate drinking and eating with smoking and as a result, many people smoke while they are at the bar or restaurant. Research has also shown that peop le, who drink and smoke at the same time, end up smoking more than if drinking were not involved. Nearly all restaurants have non smoking sections, however they are usually not smoke free as that section shares common spaces and circulating air with the smoking section. Recently a number of localities have banned smoking in restaurants and bars.

Another common place where non smokers may encounter passive smoke is at sporting events, concerts, and social gatherings where drink and food are served. Some establishments have set up certain smoking sections, leaving the rest of the venue smoke free. Additionally, many of these venues fall under the municipality bans on smoking.

Many municipalities also have smoking bans that affect the workplace. This makes nearly all workplaces smoke free, with few exceptions. Several states have also banned outdoor smoking, having strict rules regarding where smokers can and can not smoke. Nearly all school zones, playgrounds and government offices are all smoke free. Likewise smoking is banned on most public transportation systems.

Many non smokers are also exposed to a large amount of passive smoke in their own homes, or in the homes of family and friends. Smoke can linger in the air for hours, especially in enclosed spaces. Furthermore, children, specifically infants and toddlers are exposed to smoke residues even when the smoker goes outside, because it stays on the clothes and skin of those that smoke.

What are the health risks associated with passive smoking?

There are numerous detrimental health effects of passive smoking. Many of the risks are similar to those associated with actually smoking a cigarette, pipe or cigar. The EPA has classified passive smoke as a known cancer causing agent in humans. The risks outlined below have been linked with passive smoking.

Cancer

3,000 cancer related non smoker deaths can be directly attributed to passive smoking each year.

Heart diseases

Approximately 50,000 non s moker deaths from heart related issues can be linked to passive smoking each year.

Respiratory diseases and problems

Second hand smoke has been known to cause higher rates of lower respiratory infections, including bronchitis and pneumonia. Passive smoking also contributes to an increased amount of upper respiratory irritation and infections. Studies have also shown that passive smoking results in decreased lung function. This is especially true in children and infants, who tend to breathe quicker and have less control over their surroundings.

Ear infections

Passive smoking is accountable for an increased number of ear infections. Studies have shown there is a significant difference in the occurrences of ear infections between the children of smoking and non smoking parents.

Low birth weight

The National Cancer Institute reports that second hand smoke is responsible for 10,000 low birth weight births a year. Low birth weight often results in other health problems and is a major factor in many infant deaths.

Asthma

Second hand smoke is responsible for nearly 8,000 cases of newly diagnosised asthma annually. It is also responsible for nearly 1 million cases of exacerbated asthma every year.

Sudden infant death syndrome

Passive smoking is related to nearly 2,000 cases of SIDS each year.

Stillbirths

Several studies have found that passive smoking can be accountable for an increased risk of still births and spontaneous abortions than those that are not exposed to smoke.

The health effects of passive smoking, or second hand smoking, are undeniable. They are serious, debilitating and life threatening. Although it may be impossible to avoid all traces of passive smoking, it is certainly in everyone's best interest , especially those of children and women that are pregnant, that it be avoided as often as possible.